NO cheering, no celebrations, no real winners on either side. Enio Sacilotto's Bees failed to go out with a bang in their final Superleague game of the regular season, more of a whimper as they meekly succumbed to a 22nd defeat in 32 games.

And while Dave Whistle's Giants gave an accomplished display on the way to a comprehensive victory, in the end it was not good enough to stop Sheffield Steelers from reclaiming the title they last won in 2001. Within seconds of the final buzzer going at the John Nike Leisuresport Complex last night, Belfast were informed over the public address system that title rivals Sheffield had taken a 2-1 lead at Nottingham Panthers with a little more than three minutes remaining.

The looks on the faces of the Belfast players said it all as they waited, totally deflated, for the post-match awards.

And moments after they had left the ice, it was announced that Sheffield had won 3-1, the victory they needed to take the title by a point.

There was nothing in Bees' performance to suggest that the fans can expect anything better in the 16 play-off matches the club now has to play before dropping down a level to play in the British National League next season.

And the Belfast fans who had made the trip over were left to contemplate how close they came to retaining the title.

The opening goal of the game came in the third minute from Paxton Schulte off a pass by Todd Kelman, two of six members of Bees' 1999-2000 title-winning team icing for Belfast.

Robby Sandrock added a second goal at 11.06 with a shot that Bees netminder Joe Watkins could only re-direct down between his legs and behind him into the net.

Kory Karlander rattled the bar early in the second period for Belfast, who eventually made it 3-0 on the powerplay at 27.27 when Kevin Riehl, another ex-Bee, reacted quickly at the far post to tip in Lee Sorochan's low shot from point.

Bees restored some pride when Tero Arkiomaa, the only player on his side who looked dangerous all night, pounced on a misplaced pass to lift the puck over Ryan Bach's outstretched left arm and into the net.

Joe Ciccarello hit a post for Bees as they enjoyed their best spell of the game.

But less than four minutes after the restart, Sorochan wrapped up the scoring with a bullet from just inside the blue line that flashed past the unsighted Watkins.

Arkiomaa then carved out three good chances for Bees - a good low shot after taking a return pass from Ceman, a lofted backhand effort that brought a good save out of Bach, and a rocket that hit the netminder's face mask.

But in truth, his collision with his captain Mike McBain behind their goal in the third period, more aptly summed up Bees' lack of understanding.

Sheffield Steelers 5 Bracknell Bees 0

WARREN NORRIS cracked in a hat-trick for the Superleague champions-in-the-making on Saturday night.

Norris, a long-time target for Bees boss Enio Sacilotto, opened the scoring for a Sheffield side who outshot Bees by a staggering 52 shots to 13.

The first period was notable for bust-ups between Bees' Mark Matier and Sheffield's Jason Sessa and Bees' Corey Spring and Sheffield's Timo Willman.

Such was Sheffield's dominance in the second period that Bees could muster just two attempts on goal while their own netminder Brian Greer faced 17.

It was no surprise when Norris lashed the puck home on the powerplay at 21.45 and then made it 2-0 before the second break.

Marc Laniel and Kent Simpson increased Sheffield's lead with powerplay goals while Steve O'Rourke and Mike McBain were serving penalties respectively for interference and tripping.

Norris jinked past Greer at 50.29 to complete his hat-trick and set up Sheffield's title-winning decider with Nottingham last night.